By Matters India Reporter
MYSURU, November 5, 2026 — Marking the Platinum Jubilee of the Pallottine presence, Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão of Goa Daman and President of the Conference of the Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), called for a renewed approach to priestly formation during an address on November 5.
Speaking at the inauguration of a symposium titled “Bridging Formation and Ministry: Critical Challenges and Concerns in the Last Phase of Priestly Formation Today,” Cardinal Ferrão emphasized the need to prepare seminarians more effectively for the realities and responsibilities of pastoral ministry.
The gathering was organized by Pallottine Father Thomas Vijay and hosted by Prabodhana, Pallottine Institute of Theology, Mysuru.
The event brought together Society of the Catholic Apostolate Provincials, Regional Superiors, formators, and resource persons. Father Thomas Manjaly welcomed the assembly, while Father Rajesh Ummikuzhy presented the scientific rationale for the event.
Father Ummikuzhy highlighted the hurdles candidates face as they transition from seminary studies into active priestly service, pointing to challenges in intellectual preparedness, human and emotional maturity, spiritual growth, interpersonal relationships, pastoral competence, leadership duties, and safeguarding.
Addressing the delegates, Cardinal Ferrão acknowledged the often-unseen yet significant contribution of formators in shaping the future of the Church.
He stressed that the lived experiences and concerns of seminarians and newly ordained priests must actively inform ongoing reflection on formation programs.
Utilizing the discernment method of See, Judge, and Act, he urged participants to examine current situations objectively, avoiding placing blame on seminaries or idealizing past formation practices.
He maintained that the central focus must remain on forming priests who genuinely embody the heart and pastoral spirit of Christ.
The Cardinal identified multiple pressing concerns, including changing candidate backgrounds and expectations, evolving demands of contemporary ministry, difficulties in converting theological knowledge into an integrated lifestyle, the credibility of priestly witness, and initial challenges faced immediately following ordination.
Reflecting on these issues through a Gospel lens, he referenced Presbyterorum Ordinis alongside St. Vincent Pallotti’s vision of the universal apostolate, which highlights the missionary responsibility belonging to every baptized Christian.
He cautioned against viewing the priesthood as an isolated or exclusive vocation, reiterating that priests are called to serve within a broader communion of believers.
As a way forward, Cardinal Ferrão advocated transforming the final stage of seminary preparation into a structured, meaningful period of supervised pastoral apprenticeship.
He proposed evaluating candidates based on their overall capacity to integrate human, spiritual, and pastoral dimensions rather than relying strictly on academic examinations.
Furthermore, he underlined the necessity of fostering affective maturity, practical pastoral competencies, ongoing preparation for formators, and systematic accompaniment for priests during their early years of ministry.
Concluding with a call for concrete institutional commitments, the Cardinal challenged participants to turn the symposium’s deliberations into measurable action steps.
He proposed that every formation institution commit to identifying at least one improvement in supervised pastoral experience, introducing regular reflective evaluations, and establishing a structured accompaniment program for newly ordained priests, with progress to be formally reviewed after one year.
Reaffirming the continuous nature of spiritual and ministerial growth, Cardinal Ferrão noted, “Ordination does not close the book of formation. It opens a new chapter in the lifelong school of pastoral charity.”
(Photo supplied)